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acX Repairs & Mods

 

 

It has long been our design philosophy that great products need two key design philosophies optimized:

  • a robust circuit design
  • as well as the best parts available (or affordable) in all the sonically critical locations.

Many people ask us about modding vs. buying. What is the better value? Modification, by far... since it does not build into the equation the various mark-ups the numerous levels of distribution require for the sale, promotion and distribution of new products... thus, you get WAY MORE for your money by modifying.

Also, we are asked about whether doing MODs should be done at all -- "Isn't the entire mod process armchair quarterbacking the sonic vision of the equipment's original designer?" In some cases, it would be. However, we are not suggesting that every product will benefit from being modified... it may simply not be needed (this is often the case with the reference models of numerous currently manufactured high-end electronics lines). Thus, we don't make that claim... in many cases, simply a different sonic flavour is achieved, not something which is better. Moreover, acX does not generally speaking, modify or alter the unit's circuit topology... in our view, if we did, it would signify our need to design and build our own product...from the ground up! For the most part, our mods are restricted to parts upgrading, period. The skill comes from selecting which parts to upgrade and voicing them together, so they enhance the unit's natural strengths, and minimizes it's inherent weaknesses.

acX only does mods in the following circumstances where the results are easily discernible, so that a marked improvement in overall sonic quality can be achieved:

OLDER Products --
Many older "vintage" (eg.Dynaco ST-70) products have good enough circuit designs... but lack the pedigree of parts now only available to us today... thus, these parts choices were simply not available to those designers.

BUDGET Products --
This is also true of some budget products made today as well (eg. Jolida JD-202a) in order to hit certain price points, parts quality usually suffers.

OBSOLETE Products --
Modifications are also very relevant to technologically sensitive products, such as DAC's, CD Players, etc... which may benefit from the advances in various semi-conductor designs (op amps, next-gen DAC chips, etc.) again, not available when the product was originally designed.

1. SFI /ANTHEM /ASSEMBLAGE Products                                 Top of Page

Given our intimate knowledge of these product lines, acX is proud to make available state-of-the-art updates and modifications to these classic SFI, ANTHEM and ASSMEBLAGE products. These go well beyond the Signature, Special Edition or Platinum Series updates originally offered by SFI and TPC (all of which were originally defined, specified and voiced by acX/pcX’s president, Chris Johnson) we call them our SE+ upgrades. We now have a palate of parts available to us, that SFI did not... thus, we can achieve more with each mod. Moreover, as we don't sell these mods through dealers, they are generally 1/3 to 1/2 below the cost SFI previously charged.

We have pre-defined mod prices on most every SFI, ANTHEM and ASSEMBLAGE piece, but can customize those substantially, according to your sonic tastes and budget. Moreover, we can perform a substantial (but not all I'm afraid) amount of repair work on this gear too... our repair rates are a very reasonable $74.95 USD / $89.95 CAD per hour.

The work is performed by previous SFI technical and design staff -- either Glen Dolick or Vince Siu.

 

2. CUSTOM / VINTAGE Gear

As acX's mod techniques are broadly applicable, we have done hundreds of "one off" mods on numerous other brands of equipment... whether they be your latest SONY SACD/DVD Player, a vintage McIntosh MC240 or a previously state-of-the-art preamp like the ARC SP-11. We can usually turnaround equipment in under 1 week! In addition to the cost of the parts, acX charges (the billing rate in it's quotes) $74.95 USD / $89.95 CAD per hour for all modification design work performed.

Email us your inquiry and find out what we can do sonically improve your piece of gear... We are here to service you in your on-going quest for the sonic holy grail !

 

3. GENERAL REPAIRS and CABLE TERMINATION FEES

acX will also trouble-shoot and repair these same products (and any others you need repaired) PRIOR to mod work commencing. Our billing rate is $74.95 USD / $89.95 CAD per hour.

In addition to doing general electronics repairs, we can also custom terminate any of the wire and cables we sell through our parts and components division of pcX. Price out bulk cable and connectors terminated by acX versus factory pre-terminated cable, bought through traditional dealers... our termination is of equally good quality, you'll pay for only the length you need, and you'll save a whole lot of money!

CABLE TERMINATIONS....$74.95 USD / $89.95 CAD (standard type).

NOTE: Bi-wired or complicated terminations, are "Quotation Basis" only.

If you are interested in any of our MOD / Upgrade or Repair services, click on CONTACT US located at the top right of this page.

Thank you for visiting acX

The acX Team

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